Xanax withdrawal signs

The first signs of Xanax (alprazolam) withdrawal usually occur shortly after the medication has worn off in the system. The first signs mimic those of being sick. Feeling achy or like you are coming down a cold or stomach flu can signal the beginning of Xanax withdrawal. But what other signs can you look for? And when do you seek professional help for Xanax withdrawal symptoms treatment?

We review the early and later signs of Xanax withdrawal here. Then, we invite your questions about Xanax use or how to get help for Xanax addiction at the end.

Signs of Xanax withdrawal

Withdrawal is the result of your body developing a dependency on alprazolam. While Xanax dependence is an expected outcome after daily dosing for weeks at a time, if you are abusing or addicted to Xanax you can develop a quicker body dependence to Xanax. But because of the nature of benzodiazepine withdrawal, Xanax withdrawal can take longer than withdrawal from opiates or other types of medications. In fact, Xanax withdrawal can fluctuate between severe and mild symptoms over the course of several weeks or months.

The onset of Xanax withdrawal symptoms appear 6-8 hours after the last dose has worn off. These symptoms will peak over the next 72 hours and should even out in about two weeks. At first, you may feel like you have withstood the worst of it only to find acute symptoms returning. These kinds of “rebound symptoms” take longer to fully resolve. It can takes weeks to months to before you are completely free of Xanax withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, which may need to be addressed via behavioral therapy.

Withdrawal signs of Xanax can include:

coma

convulsions

cramps

depression

diarrhea

dysphoria

fatigue

fear

headaches

high blood pressure

mania

mood swings

nausea

psychosis

restlessness

seizures

spasms

vomiting

First signs of Xanax withdrawal

The first Signs of Xanax withdrawal will happen shortly after the medication has worn off. You can expect these withdrawal symptoms -vomiting, diarrhea, chills, aches and pains – to linger for the next couple of days and peak in severity before taking some time to resolve.

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Also, you might exhibit signs of withdrawal that can be dangerous to your health. That is why it’s not recommended to withdrawal suddenly from any benzodiazepine drug like Xanax. And that you alwasy withdraw from Xanax under medical supervision. If serious signs of Xanax withdrawal occur, such as coma, seizures, convulsions, and psychosis…seek medical help immediately.

Early signs of Xanax withdrawal

Once you have gotten through the worst of withdrawal, signs of withdrawal can still continue to present themselves. While the worst of the flu like symptoms will ease up, you may continue to feel aches and pains, cramping, and spasms. You can also expect problems with your sleep,fatigue and needing to sleep more. You may also experience insomnia.

Other signs of withdrawal that can manifest are psychological in nature. Because Xanax is used to treat mood disorders, you can expect exacerbated symptoms of anxiety and depression to also appear. These signs will continue to arise throughout the process of withdrawal. They can also be the most frustrating and consuming withdrawal symptoms to deal with.

Late signs of Xanax withdrawal

Xanax withdrawal Signs show up and then wane. They can then again show up after several weeks after the initial withdrawal process. Most rebound withdrawal symptoms include continued psychological symptoms, discomfort, and trouble with sleep. These symptoms may also take a while to revolve and get better. If you are still suffering depression and anxiety then you will need to find a way to take care of it or address these disorders.

Signs and symptoms of Xanax withdrawal treatment

There are several ways you can treat the signs and symptoms of Xanax withdrawal. One of the easiest is to take address acute symptoms as they occur. There are over the counter medication that can help you with headaches, cramps, pain, and sleep if you are having a hard time sleeping or staying awake. Then there are medications that doctors can prescribe to help with withdrawal. Other antidepressants might be helpful to regulate the depression and anxiety you are feeling. It is important to be careful that medications to not interact negatively. Other benzodiazepines should not be used and avoiding depressants like alcohol are also important if you want to help and ease Signs of Xanax Withdrawal.

The biggest recommendation for treating signs of withdrawal is to taper doses of Xanax. The signs of withdrawal can be dangerous and unpredictable. Tapering is a way for you to work with your doctor to decrease the amount of Xanax in the body slowly over time. This method is one of the safest because it give the body time to regulate and heal itself now that Xanax is being taken from the body. This should help to minimize the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. You will still feel the resurgence of anxiety and depression and perhaps in a more manageable fashion then if you were to withdraw suddenly.

Other recommendations included observation or a treatment detox/facility. How do you treat Xanax addiction? If you are needing to withdrawal from Xanax out of necessity or are wanting to help manage withdrawal effects after abuse or addiction to the medication, supervision can help prevent serious complications from arising.

Xanax signs of withdrawal questions

Still have questions about Xanax withdrawal? We will get to them as soon as we can. Please leave your questions or comments in the section below.

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11 Responses to “Xanax withdrawal signs”

Rajeev

7:24 am October 18th, 2013

I am taking alprazolam for last several years.I want to quit it.But the withdrawl symptoms like shivering,lack of concentration,lack of appetite and weakness are not giving me permissions to quit it .Though I am fed up with taking pills.Doctors have given me wrong medicines .Please Help me.

Hello Rajeev. You’ll need a slow taper over the course of many weeks in order to minimize risk of withdrawal. I’d suggest that you speak not only with your prescribing doctor about setting up a tapering calendar but also with a pharmacist. You can do it with the proper counsel and advice! Also, be sure that you have a plan in place for how to address anxiety without the medication.

Bouchikhi

6:34 pm May 22nd, 2014

Hi, I took 1mg alprazolom just one day and i am suffring from the withdrawal: flu, crampes in the back, irritability and anger issues. Thank you for letting me know how long it takes to the aloprazlom withdrawal effect to fade?

Hello Bouchikhi. The duration and intensity of withdrawal symptoms generally depend upon the length of time, dosing amounts, and dosing frequencies of use. I’d suggest that you consult with a toxicologist or a pharmacist for more on your specific case and the terms/duration of withdrawal they have observed in others in the past.

Greg

11:31 am June 13th, 2015

I went on a xanax binge for about 3 weeks on and off taking the 2mg ones. I was never prescribed by doctor but i am an anxiety sufferer i used to take lexapro couple years ago. One day i took 6 2mg and passed out stupid i know. Most days id only take 1 or 2 max all this was in a 3 week period. I stopped taking them 5 days ago because they were affecting my work and ive gotten flu sever anxiety and depression and insomnia since.my question is because i only abused them for 3 weeks am i in major danger of bad withdrawal after a 3 week binge. I had taken one or 2 in the past when i got anxious but never abused them.

Maddie

11:10 pm February 3rd, 2016

My mom is in a coma. She was taking Xanax then stopped all at once so its a possibility it was caused from withdrawl. Is there any way she could come out of the coma once the withdrawals stop?

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

9:50 pm February 8th, 2016

Hi, Maddie. I’m really sorry for your mother. What are the doctors saying? They should probably know the reason why your mother is in a coma. Please contact us if you still have questions. Your family is in my prayers…

Angela

3:06 am March 4th, 2016

I have been tapering off of my use of Klonopin since my accident…it has been terrible, but I am down to just 1/4 mg a day. May not sound like much, but this stuff is too strong for me. Anyway, while cutting up some of my pills the other day, I accidentally grabbed my 20 mg Paxil. So, for two days I was without the Klonopin and up to 30 mg of Paxil. I have been suffering with bad diarrhea that comes and goes…it seems to get better, then comes back with a vengeance. Is this still withdrawal symptoms from going cold turkey for just two days? And will it end pretty soon? I am miserable…and want to return to work. Thanks for your help! ~ Angie

Jessica

6:18 am April 11th, 2016

I have been taking xanax for a couple of years. I only take a couple milligrams a day for 2-3 weeks, then I go off of it completely for at least a week so it will get out of my system and I won’t build a tolerance. For several months, I have been getting debilitating cramps in my side and back. I’m wondering if it is xanax withdrawal???? I don’t want to ask my doctor for fear that she will take me off of it. I can’t sleep or be in public without it.

Jim

1:37 am April 27th, 2016

I have been taking Xanax for the past few weeks. The other day I woke up on the shower floor not knowing what had happened for the past couple hours. I am very lucky that I did not seriously hurt myself. In your opinion do you think this was a blackout or some type of seizure? I have read that seizures can be effects of using Xanax. I have never had a seizure before but I wasn’t sure if you lose your memory 3 to 4 hours before having a seizure. What is your opinion?

Tony

6:13 am August 8th, 2016

Jessica, I have been getting debilitating cramps in my side and left arm as well. I have been to ER on numerous occasions, but every possible test reveals no problems. I can only assume that the pains I have are from 1.5 mg of Alprazolam withdrawals. Just wondering if you have any additional information. I suffer from Anxiety disorder and its currently the only medication that I am taking.

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